Manchester United’s Tunnel Manners Left Roy Keane Seething
Manchester United’s Premier League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur was a dismal affair, with the Red Devils being thumped 3-0 at Old Trafford. The loss was compounded by a straight red card for Bruno Fernandes, but it was the pre-match tunnel antics that really got under the skin of United legend Roy Keane.
As the two teams prepared to walk out onto the pitch, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, and Andre Onana were caught embracing members of the Spurs squad, exchanging pleasantries and hugs. It’s a far cry from Keane’s tough-tackling, no-nonsense approach to the game, and the former midfielder was left seething.
"I’m disgusted with these players," Keane said in a 2019 interview. "You are going to war. You know, they are hugging and kissing. Don’t even look at the opposition. You’re going to battle against them."
Keane’s sentiments were echoed by his pundit peers, with Gary Neville blasting United’s performance as "shocking" and "disgusting". Neville’s co-commentator, Jamie Carragher, agreed, saying that United’s players looked like they were "not bothered" and that the defeat was a "sobering day" for manager Erik ten Hag.
So, what’s the big deal about a few friendly hugs in the tunnel? For Keane and others, it’s about maintaining a professional distance from the opposition. When you’re about to go to war on the pitch, you don’t want to be making friends with your enemies.
Of course, there’s also the issue of focus and mentality. When you’re preparing for a big game, you need to be 100% focused on the task at hand. Greeting opponents with hugs and kisses might seem harmless, but it can be a distraction and a sign of a lack of mental toughness.
As United look to bounce back from this embarrassing defeat, they need to take a hard look at themselves and their approach to the game. It’s not just about the football – it’s about the mentality and the professionalism.
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